Hofstra University to host 27th annual regional FIRST Robotics Competition
The 27th annual Long Island Regional FIRST Robotics Competition will be held Wednesday through Saturday, March 18 to 21 at Hofstra University’s David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex. The event is free to the public.
Presented by FIRST Long Island along with sponsors Zebra Technologies and Optimum, regional features 48 teams of students from across Long Island, New York City, and Chinese Taipei who will utilize robots to compete in alliance-style tournament rounds under this year’s challenge, dubbed ‘REBUILTSM’, presented by Haas—a timed challenge format where alliances can earn additional rewards for meeting specific scoring thresholds.
Guided by their mentors, students rely on their skills in science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) to compete for honors and recognition.
“The FIRST Long Island Regional is an amazing culmination of teams’ design and building activities and a way for students to showcase their talents and enjoy the competition,” says Larry Toonkel, regional director, FIRST Robotics Competition, FIRST Long Island. “We are very excited to see what all our Long Island teams bring to the table and to host this event.”
This year marks the 27th season of the FIRST Robotics Competition. Fred Breithut, a former educator, founded FIRST Long Island (then known as the School Business Partnership of Long Island) in 1984 to address the gap between the skills needed by Long Island’s business community and the relevant preparation provided by local school districts.
In the first 15 years of its operation, FIRST Long Island formed over 100 successful partnerships between high schools and local businesses. It now focuses on running the full suite of FIRST programs.
“We are certain that this event will provide a great opportunity for teams to live the FIRST experience and have a chance to advance to the championships,” says Patrise Miller, executive director of FIRST Long Island. “To accomplish these goals, we’ll need the continued support of our valued schools, families, volunteers and donors.”
Those in attendance are encouraged to cheer on their home teams and visit the teams’ pit areas to see firsthand how these students program, repair and operate their robots. Visitors can also meet with FIRST Long Island representatives, who can explain to them the different programs the organization provides and how one can form a team.
Additional corporate support for the FIRST Robotics Competition has been provided by the Cradle of Aviation Museum, FESTO, PSEG Long Island, Schenck USA, School Construction Consultants, Inc., SCOPE Education Services, TTM Technologies, the U.S. Army, the U.S. Navy and Packaging Machine Manufacturing Institute (PMMI).
Individual and private sponsors include accessLinx, Inc., Brookhaven Science Associates, Inc. (BNL), the Dittmar Family, Northrop Grumman and the Stern Family.
